This article was originally published in 2021, it has been updated to reflect the 2026 World Cup and the players current statuses.
I know what you are all thinking. This is a short-list of Fran Kirby and Nicky Shorey right?
Wrong.
To jump firmly on the bandwagon of supporting England’s Three Lions 2026 World Cup, Football in Berkshire has searched far and wide for players that have represented their country at any level, in any format of the game.
Of course, it helps that a while back we wrote an article titled ‘The Hellenic League players who’ve represented England‘ but that was based across three or four counties. Now we’re looking specifically at players born, or at least raised in the Royal County.
First up, we’ll start with the most obvious and most pictured courtesy of photographer David Loveday.
Related: World Cup ready? Meet former England and Liverpool star Emile Heskey in Reading
Sam Barratt
The former Maidenhead United attacker had a spell in the Football League with Southend United, but in 2017 he was called into the England C side made up of National League players for the International Challenge Trophy Final against Slovakia and earned a second cap against Wales in 2018.
Barratt is currently without a club after leaving the Magpies at the end of the season.
Aimee Claypole
Football in Berkshire has been in a privileged position to watch young Aimee grow and develop in the game since she was a child – in fact, we featured her in one of our first ever articles here.
Aimee, who currently plays for Nottingham Forest and also qualifies for Finland has – played for England at u17 level. The youngster has been at camps for U15 and U16 and but for Covid, we understand she would have played fixtures at that those age groups.
Fran Kirby
Why wouldn’t we include her? Kirby, Reading born and raised is arguably one of the country’s most high-profile players. She has represented England at senior and under 23 level and is in the Tokyo 2020 Great Britain Olympic squad.
Now a retired Lioness, Kirby won UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 with England but missed the subsequent World Cup in Australia due to injury.
Want more: All the Berkshire Internationals news is here
Matt Jones
Striker Matt played for Binfield and Ascot United amongst others and represented England Schoolboys in 2007.
Speaking to FiB at the time, Matt said: “I scored against Republic of Ireland in Dublin and was part of the side that beat Belgium 5-2 in a friendly. That team included Eden Hazard and Christian Benteke. Needless to say our career paths were not the same!”
James Richardson
Another England Schoolboy, James was a shining light for youth development at Ascot United and was selected for the 2019 squad after making it through the regional trials.
Liam Ferdinand and Mitchell Parker
Ferdinand’s myriad on the field achievements recently had the welcome addition of ‘Wembley brace’ after his double for Binfield in the FA Vase Final at the national stadium, but in 2018 he and former Reading City and Bracknell Town striker Parker were selected as part of an England representative side that played two tour matches in the Falkland Islands.
Both players scored and Parker captained the team against a Falkland Islands XI.
Kiera Skeels
Former Reading FC Women Academy captain Skeels has made an impression in the FA WSL in the last year – albeit while on loan from the Royals to Bristol City – but the young defender has represented England across the age groups and is currently capped at under 19 level and under 23 level.
Skeels now plays for Charlton Athletic in the FA Women’s Championship.
Emma Harries
The former Reading FC Women youngster made her debut in October 2020. She was a regular in the side that finished seventh in 2020/21.
She signed her first professional deal in January 2021 with manager Kelly Chambers saying: “Emma has been at the club since she was eight and I have watched a young girl with big dreams achieve what she has always wanted. Emma has an exciting professional career ahead of her and I am looking forward to continuing to work with her.”
She currently plays for FA WSL2 side Southampton having joined the Saints from West Ham United.
Grant Smith
Played in the same England C side as Sam Barratt while with Boreham Wood in the National League. Smith is the brother of former Bracknell Town and AFC Aldermaston goalkeeper Dan Smith.
He began his career at Eldon Celtic and joined the Reading FC Academy in 2007. He moved on to Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion and is currently with National League Yeovil Town.
Phil Alexander
Slough born Phil Alexander played five times for England under 19s in his playing career.
He is a former Wokingham Town player and manager of Bracknell Town. He played for Norwich City AND had a side career as an American Footballer for Farnham Knights and London Monarchs.
We haven’t even got to the part where we mention he’s the former Chief Executive of Crystal Palace, and currently CEO of the Enterprise National League.
Who we missed:
Neil Graham: Former FC Bracknell player Harvey Rackley-Hayes. Harvey says: “I got 7 caps for England at the age of 17, England Colleges U17. Went to Italy on tour, played against multiple different nations.
Richard Grey writes: Bashir Humphreys, aged 18, a central defender lives in Caversham. He is currently at recently relegated Burnley in the Premier League. He was previously at Chelsea FC Academy where he broke into the under 23’s squad, and Reading FC Academy. He captained England at Under 16 level.
Scott Young in the FiB WhatsApp group: Steven Clements from Slough. Lilleshall and England schoolboy international, pro at Arsenal. Never played first-team football.
Andrew Batt: Steven Hughes played for England at u-18 and u-21 level. Born in Reading and grew up in Wokingham.
Andrew Spiers: Lewis Hall, Newcastle United and England was a pupil at LVS, Ascot. From Binfield.
Aaron Steadman: Jeriel Dorset and Ollie Pendlebury who are from Maidenhead. Both played for England U17/18. Jeriel is at Reading, Ollie just signed for Wycombe. Also Mikey Pearce, Maidenhead 18’s/reserves and England schoolboys.
Jeriel remains a part of Reading’s plans in EFL League One, but now has seven caps for Montserrat.
Steve Jinman: Nathan Tyson England U20, Windsorian Peter Osgood. Ken Barrington (Maidenhead Reserves and 85 tests for England).
James Moore: John Charlton played for England Schoolboys.
Who have we missed? Did you play beach football for England? Have you represented and England Disability side? We’d love to hear from you and add you to the list below. Leave a message in the comments or message us here.
